Carina Benninga: Field Hockey
Carina Marguerite Benninga (born August 18, 1962) is a former Dutch field hockey player, who debuted in the Dutch hockey team at the 1983, immediately winning the title. She played 158 international matches for The Netherlands hockey team and scored a total of 25 goals.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
Benninga was part of the gold medal winning team at the 1984 Summer Olympics. They also won the bronze medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Some of her achievements include gold medals at the EuroHockey Nations Championship, Champions Trophy and the Women’s Hockey World Cup. She became captain of the Dutch team.
Why Was She So Good?
Carina Benninga has real quality and it isn’t just about hitting the ball hard. She had class and consistency during her entire professional career for the longest time. She can hit the ball, turning a game with skill and sheer talent. Benninga achieved the highest accolade on offer to hockey players since she achieved a lot of her greatest sporting achievements while acquiring a law degree.
What You May Not Know
- During the 1986 World Cup, she wasn’t able to play after breaking her collarbone briefly during the start of the tournament.
- Carina Benninga was the first Dutch woman to carry Holland’s colors at the opening ceremonies.
- Upon retiring, she took up coaching and became first as assistant-coach and consultant for the US team from 1993-1995 and later for other Dutch league clubs.
- Benninga currently runs her own coaching business.
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